Strip severing and bursting machine



P 3- R. G. RATCHFCRD ETAL 2,328,582

I STRIP SEVERING AND BURSTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 16, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR FA Y/VOA/D 6. ITATKf/FORD ATVORNEY Sept. 7, 1943.

I R. G. RATCHFORD- ETAL STRIP SEVERING AND BURSTING MACHINE Filed Oct 16, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR AA rpm/w) 6 RA ream/e12 i Y Foif/UEL 5 ATT9RNEY P 1943- R. G. RATCHFORD ETAL 2,328,532

STRIP SEVERING AND BURSTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 16, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Q05 R [[55 g 'A'rTbRNY i Patented Sept. 7, 1943 STRIP SEVERING AND BURSTING MACHINE Raymond G. Batchford and Robert E. Lee, Dayton, Ohio, asslgnors to The Standard Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 16, 1940 Serial No. 361,406

This invention pertains to strip feeding and severing apparatus and more particularly to means for advancing continuous series-connected printed forms past a severing-or bursting position and progressively dividing the strips at predetermined intervals into a succession of individual sheets.

In modern commercial practice using printed forms such as checks, utility bills, sales slips, invoices, statement forms, record or data sheets and the like, it is quite common to print successive impressions upon continuou strips or Webs of material in longitudinally spaced succession. Such continuous series-connected forms are conveniently inscribed while yet intact by being passed through a typewriting or imprinting apparatus, either singly or in multiple, with interleaved carbon or transfer material by which manifold copies are produced. Subsequently the strips are severed between succeeding impressions into individual sheets, slips or forms. To facilitate such separation, transverse weakened lines are formed intermediate succeeding impressions upon which the strips are to be divided.

The present apparatus is designed to automatically sever the strips on the pre-weakened transverse lines at a rapid rate into individual sheets and simultaneously marginally trim the strips to remove therefrom the marginal areas which have been used in controlling the advancement of the strip to severing position.

While each strip is divided into succeeding sheets or slips of uniform length,'provision is made by which different strips may be severed at differently spaced intervals to afford a succession of longer or shorter individual portions.

In order that the advancement of the strip may be properly synchronized with the severing or bursting devices, the strips are preferably, although not necessarily, marginally punched for engagement of a pin type feeding device by which the strip is positively advanced and its movement regulated. The severed sheets are automatically stacked at the discharge side of the machine.

The present disclosure is a further development of the structures and operations set forth in copending applications Serial No. 226,760, Serial No. 251,185, and Serial No. 295,814, upon which, however, the present invention is in no way dependent.

The object of the invention is to improve the construction as well as the means and mode of operation of strip feeding, severing, trimming and stacking apparatus, whereby it may not only be economically manufactured and operated, but

37 Claims. (Cl. 164-845) will be more eilicient inuse, rapid and automatic in operation, uniform in action, of simple construction and compact form, having but few operatingparts and unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention i to provide automatic means for accurately dividing a continuous strip of material into uniformsheets of greater or less length.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which may be easily and quickly adapted to division of strips into sheets of different lengths.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combined trimmer and burster operative on continuous strips of material.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for subjecting the advance portion of the strip to accelerated motion and simultaneously snubbing or retarding the trailing portion of the strip.

A further object of the invention is to provide a strip severing apparatus of the character described possessing the advantageous structural features and inherent meritorious characteristics herein mentioned.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protested by Letter Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein is illustrated the we ferred, but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled strip bursting apparatus embodying the present invention viewed from theintake or supply side.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the assembled machine viewed from the discharge side opposite that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view.

Fig. 4 is a detail front elevation from the right of Fig. 3.

Fig.5 is a perspective detail view feeding and guiding means.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of one rollers.

Fig. 7 is a detail view illustrating a modification of the strip snubbing'or retreading means.

Fig. 8 illustrates a further modification.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

of the strip of the gripper The present apparatus is of small compact a second splined shaft any suitable form, having at one side a shelf or support 2 for a supply packet 3 from which a continuous strip 4' of material to be severed is,

advanced through the machine and delivered at 'its opposite side into a receiving compartment 5, i

For feedin purposes the strip 4 is preferably, but not necessevered into individual sheets 6.

sarily. provided with successions of marginal feed holes 4a. t t

The main frame of the machine includes two interconnected parallel relatively spaced side plates 1-1 in which are journaled aseries of transverse shafts.

Adjacent the intake side of the machine, at the left of Fig. 3 and that viewed in Fig. 1 is a revoluble splined shaft 8 on which are mounted a pair of relatively spaced axially adjustable pin wheels 9 revoluble with the shaft 8. Above the shaft 8 and toward the front of the machine is H) on which two trimmers II are mounted for relative adjustment axially ers are of uniform diameters. The second shaft 30 rotates at a more rapid rate than the shaft 21 and carries a series of acceleratingor snatch" rollers 3|, which are of progressively decreasing diameters. These snatch rollers 3 i as well as the snubbing rollers 28, may be of any desired size, larger or smaller, than here shown. For illustrative purposes, but with no intent to limit their size, the snubbing rollers 28 are all 1.750 inches of the shaft. Each trimmer comprises a collar surrounding the shaft and an integral bifurcated arm within which is journaled a cutter disc 12 which coacts with the peripheral face 13 of the corresponding pin wheel 9 in laterally offset relation with the feeding pins thereof to longitudinally' sever from the strip of material 4 in unison with its advancement by the pin wheels a. continuous marginal area 14 containing the feed holes 4a. Contiguous to each trimmer is a strip guide comprising a collar I5 axially adjustable on the shaft l0 and secured in position by a set screw it to which is attachedan angular plate 11. The bottom portion of the angle plate is slotted transversely of the shaft to provide a clearance slot 18 for the feeding pins of the pin wheel 9. At one side of the clearance slot I8 is a straight finger I9 which overlies the edge of the trimmed main portion of the strip. At the opposite or outer side of the clearance slot is a curved finger 20, which substantially conforms to the peripheral face of a segment of the pin wheel '9 and directs the severed marginal portion 14 of the strip downwardly. The engagement of the pins 4 of the pin wheels 9 inthe marginal holes 4a not only positively advances the strip, but controls the advancement and regulates the movement of, the strip to maintain synchronism of the feeding and severing devices to present each succeeding separable form 6 accurately in position for detachment from the supply strip 4. r

Beyond the feeding devices thestrip 4, from which the perforate margins 14 have been, removed, is advanced over a vibratory table 2| pivoted at 22 in the end plates 1 for vertical vibra-- tory motion. The'top surface of the table 2| is" quite smooth, and preferably polished.

Vertical vibratory motion-is transmitted to the table 2| in timed sequence with the advancement of the strip by a rotary cam 23 located beneath in diameter. The snatch roller nearest to the point of observationin Fig. 2 andfarthest away in Fig. 1, is ofwider face than the other rollers and is 1,790 inches in diameter, while the next roller is 1.780 inches in diameter, and the remaining roller 3| has a diameter of 1.760 inches,

The differential between the snubbing rollers 28 and the acceleration of snatch rollers 3| is such that upon upward swinging motion of the table both sets of rollers will impinge substan-' tially simultaneously upon the portion of the strip'overlying the table 2|. The differential between the diameters of the snatch rollers 3 I causes these rollers to engage the portion of the strip overlying the table with different degrees of pressure by which a slight askew motion is transmitted to the terminal engaged section of the strip. This askew strain facilitates the initiation of the tearing action which then progresses along the weakened line across the strip.

The rollers may have smooth but tenacious surfaces, but preferably comprise metallic cores 32 about which are disposed concentric peripherally grooved rubber rings or tires 33. The peripheral grooving permits a squashing or squeeze action under pressure which increases the tenacity of the rollers and enables the rollers to more readily yield to the upward pressure of the table 2|.

The several operating parts are driven in uni-' .the. snubber shaft-21 carries a gear wheel 40 which meshes with a gear 42 on the pin wheel shaft 8. This drivescthe pin wheels 9 to continuously advance'the strip 4.

At its opposite side the gear 40 meshes with an idler pinion 43 which in turn drives a gear pinion the table 21 on a revoluble shaft 24. The cam 23 engages a roller 25 on the under side of the table 21 adjacent its rearward free edge to intermittently raise the table, and with it the portion of the strip then disposed thereon.

The descent of the table intermediate succeed- 7/ ing elevations is limited by an eccentric stop disc 26 secured to one or both .of .the side plates ll.

Located above the vibratory table 2| are two parallel-revoluble shafts, both journaled in. the 1 v side frames 1. The shaft ,21 carries either a single continuous rubber roll 'or a plurality of axially spaced snubbing rollers 28. These snubbing roll- 44 on the accelerator or snatch roller shaft 30. Being of smaller diameter than the driving gear, the shaft 30 and rollers 31 thereon are rotated at a relatively high speed.

Also carried by the snubber shaft 21 and rotat ing in unison with the driving gear 40 is a smaller gear 45 meshing with an idler gear 46 mounted on a swinging arm 41 for to and fro ad justment concentrically with th shaft 21 and gear 45. To enable such adjustment, the arm 41 is pivotally mounted on the snubber shaft 21 for to and fro swinging motion, throughout which the gear 46 maintains its intermeshing engagement with the smaller driving gear 45. The arm 41 and with it the idler gear may be secured in adjusted position by a clamp screw 48 engaged through a slot 49 in the upper end of the arm 41. The adjustable idler gear 46. intermeshes with a gear pinion 50 on the cam shaft 24, which is interchangeable with other gear plnions of larger or smallers size. By such interchange of gears 50, the table 2| may be made to vibrate more or less rapidly, and so accommodate the apparatus to severing from the supply strip longer or shorter terminal sections.

The supply strip of printed or inscribed forms is continuously advanced'over the table 2| and beneath the rollers 28 and 3| by the pin wheels 9. when a prescribed length has been so advanced the cam 23, by engagement with the roller 25, raises the table into engagement with the snubbing rollers 28 and snatch rollers 3|. The snubbing rollers and the feeding pin wheels rotate at approximately the same peripheral speed and tend to advance the strip uniformly. However, the snatch rollers 3|, being rotated at an accelerated speed and engaging the terminal detachable section of the strip beyond the initial transverse weakened line thereof, tend to advance such portion of the strip at a much faster rate of speed. Such advancement is momentarily resisted by the rollers 28. This imposes a bursting strain on'the weakened line. Due to the graduated diameters of the rollers 3| this excess strain is applied first and to greatest degree by the broad faced roller adjacent one side of the strip. This initiates the severance at such terminal of the weakened lin from which the tearing action progresses transversely of the strip.

.However, the action is instantaneous and the progress of the severing operation occurs at a very rapid rate. In practice the snubber is preferably, although not necessarily made to engage the strip momentarily in advance of the ngagement thereof by the snatch roller. The exact timing however may be varied to effect simultaneous or successive engagement by changing the relative location of the table pivot, the size of the respective rollers or their positions relative to the table.

By changing the gear 50 so that the cam shaft rotates at greater or less speed without changing the feeding speed of the pin wheels, the initial transverse weakened severance line is permitted to advance a greater or less distance past the snubbing rollers 28 before the table rises to cause the respective rollers 28 and 3! to impinge upon the advanced portion of the strip.

It is necessary that the extreme terminal edge of the strip shall have reached the position of engagement of the rollers 3| when the table rises. Otherwise, such engagement may be made to occur at any moment after the initial transverse weakenedline has passed the snubber rollers 28 and before it has fully reached the line of engagement of the snatch rollers 3|. By changin the timing of the table actuating cam 24, the strip may be allowed to advance a. greater or less distance between succeeding severing operations eflectedby the vibration of the table. The engagement of the advancing strip by the snubbing rollers 28 during the momentary period of its engagement by the snatch rollers 3| protects the feeding pin wheels against strain of the snatch roller and possible tearing of the feed holes.

Although the snubbing rollers continue to advance the strip in unison with the feeding pin wheels, and thus prevent any momentary accumulation of strip material between the snubbing roller and the pin wheels, such supplemental feeding action of the rollers 28 while resisting the pull of the accelerated rollers 3| i not essential. The snubbing engagement is only momentary and the slight accumulation ofslack or buckle of the-strip during such interval is not seriously objectionable. Therefore, in lieu of the snubbing rollers 28, stationary blocks 5| of rubber or analogous material may b employed as shown in Fig. 7. The elevation of the table 2| presses theadvanced portion of the strip against the underside of such snubbing block 5| while the rollers 3| tension the strip beyond the tensile strength of the tear line and so sever the terminal section from th strip, Obviously the continued action of the pin wheels while the snubber block 5| is engaging the strip will buckle the strip, but upon release of pressure such buckle will straighten out and the action will be as before.

In lieu of pivoting the table for oscillatory motion, it may be mounted in guides 52 as shown in Fig. 8 for reciprocatory motion into and out of engagement with the snubber and snatch members. The cam 24 may actuate the table as be fore, but being mounted for aligned'movement, the entire table rises and falls uniformly.

The flexible bands 34 overlying the strip and extending across the receiving compartment restrains the severed portions and prevents the momentum with which they are discharged from carrying them beyond the receiving compartment.

As shown in Figs. 3, 7 and 8, the table 2| is in depressed position in each instance.- The hold down strip 34 is shown overlying the table in a plane just beneath the snubbing roller 28 and bar 5|. The strip being advanced lies on the surface of the table beneath the hold down strip. The snubbing roller 28 or bar 5| and the accelerated roller 3| being slightly out of alignment, the elevation of the table momentarily presses the advancing strip against the snubber slightly in advance of its engagement with the accelerated roller or snatch roller 3|. Under such initial pressure of the table the snubberv will slightly squash or be distorted. The ability of the snubber to distort under pressure is greatly facilitated by the peripheral slots or grooves as illustrated in Fig. 6, although such grooving is not essential.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously i susceptible of modification in the form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of'several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore clamied in any of itsforms or modifications within the legitimate and valid'scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1 1. In a strip severing apparatus, strip feeding means for progressively advancing a continuous strip of material having longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines into'strip severing position, a strip feeding device by which the strip is continuously advanced, an accelerating device for accelerating the advancement of the terminal portion of the strip, a device for resisting the acceleration thereof and an elevator operative to periodically bodily raise the advanced terminal portion of the strip while in motion into engagement with the accelerating device by which the advanced terminal portion of the strip is engazed and subjected to longitudinal strain beyond the tensile strength of a transverse weakened division line thereof to sever the terminal portion of the strip on such transverse division line.

2. In a strip severing apparatus, a strip feeding means for. continuously advancing a strip of material having longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines past a severing position, a vibratory support over which the strip is advanced, a slow rotating roll and a fast rotating roll having simultaneous engagement with the strip during advancement thereof at opposite sides of a transverse weakened division line of the strip and against which the strip is bodily elevated by the vibratory motion of its .support and means for vibrating the support in synchronism with the advancement of the strip.

3. In a strip severing apparatus, a strip feeding means for continuously advancing a strip of material having longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines past a severing position, means for bodily vibrating the strip relative to which the strip is advanced, a supplemental feeding device engageable with a terminal portion of the strip in'advance of a transverse divisional line thereof and operative to accelerate the advancement thereof, a snubbing device engageable with the strip back of a transverse divisional line and operative to resist the acceleration of the terminal portion of the strip, the strip being bodily elevated into operative relation with the supplemental feeding device and the snubbing device by the vibratory motion thereof and means for actuating the strip vibrating means in synchronism with the advancement of the strip.

4. In a strip severing apparatusa strip feeding means for advancing a strip of material having longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines past a severing position, a vibratory table over which the strip is advanced, a feeding roller rotating at an accelerated speed engageable with the terminal portion of the strip at the advance side of a transverse weakened line thereof and a snubbing device engageable with the strip intermediate the strip feeding means and the accelerated strip feeding roll at the rear of a transverse weakened line thereof for retarding the acceleration of the strip, against both of which the advanced portion of the strip is operatively pressed by the movement of the table, and actuating means for the table synchronized with the advancement of the strip.

5. In a strip severing apparatus, a strip feeding device by which a continuous strip of material having longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines is progressively advanced,

6. In a strip severing apparatus, a strip vibrating device relative to which a continuous strip of material having longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines is progressively advanced, a snubbing device and an accelerated feed device engageable mm the terminal portion of the strip at opposite sides of a transverse weakened line thereof, and timed actuating means for vibrating the strip relative to the snubbing and accelerated feeding, devices. to intermittently bring an advanced portion of the strip into simultaneous engagement with the snubbing device and accelerated feed device at opposite sides of a transverse division line thereof.

7. In a strip severing apparatus, a pivotally mounted table over which a continuous strip of material having longitudinally spaced division lines is progressively advanced, and upon which the strip of material is subject to vertical alternating motion, a snubbing device and an accelerated feed device engageable with an advanced:

portion of the strip at opposite sides of a trans-* verse division line into operative relation with which the advanced portion of the strip is elevated by the oscillation of the pivotally mounted f a table, and timed actuating meansfor the table.

8. In a strip severing apparatus, a vibratory table overwhich a continuous strip of material to be severed is advanced, upon which the strip of material is subject to vertical alternating motion, strip severing means disposed above the table into operative relation with which an advanced portion of the strip is elevated by movement of the table, and timed actuating means for the table.

9. In a strip severing apparatus wherein a continuous strip of material having longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines is proressively advanced past severing position, strip tensioning means engaging the advanced portion of the strip at spaced points at opposite sides of a transverse division line and subjecting the intermediate portion of the strip to pulling strain in excess of the tensile strength of the division line to thereby separate a terminal portion of the strip from the supply portion thereof, a receiver for the detached portion, and a continuous overlying flexible strip extending longitudinally of the strip of material and resting upon both the unsevered and severed portions of the strip overhanging the receiver, beneath which the severed portion of the strip is discharged.

10. In a strip severing apparatus, means for detaching from a continuous strip of material succeeding terminal portions thereof, a receiver into which the detached portions are discharged, and flexible stationary guide strips loosely overlying both unsevered and detached portions of .the strip and extending thence over the receiver beneath which the detached portion of the strip is discharged into the receiver. I 11. In a strip feeding apparatus, strip feeding means, a table over which a continuous strip of record material is advanced, and a pair of stationary flexible parallel guide strips stationarily attached at their rearward ends relative to the direction of travel of the strip of material being fed and extending thence in the direction of travel of the said strip of material gagement with the terminal portion of the strip for subjecting the advanced portion of thestrip to pulling strain in excess of the tensile strength .01 a division contained therein, by which the 13. In a strip severing apparatus wherein a continuous strip of material having longitukdinally spaced transverse weakened division lines is progressively advanced past a severing position, an accelerated feed roller having intermittent engagement with the terminal portion of the strip for subjecting the advanced portion of the strip to pulling strain in excess of the tensile strength of a division contained therein, by which the strip is severed on said line, said accelerated feed roll being of progressively varying diameter, and of compressible character, and means for engaging the roll and strip initially. at the portion of the roll of greatest diameter under distorting pressure by which succeeding portions of the roll from that of largest to that of smallest diameter are progressively brought into engagement with the strip.

14. In a strip severing apparatus wherein a continuous strip oi material having longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines is progressively advanced past a severing position, an accelerated feed roller having intermittent engagement with the terminal portion of the strip for subjecting the advanced portion of the strip to pulling strain in excess of the tensile strength of a division contained therein, by which the strip is severed on said line, said accelerated i'e'ed roll being of progressively varying diameter,

and having therein a succession of peripheral slots, and a succes'sionof intermediate disc like segments subject to distortion under pressure, and means for engaging the roll and strip under progressively increasing pressure from the point of larger to that of smaller diameter of the n roll.

15. In a strip feeding apparatus means for progressively advancing a continuous strip of material past a given position, including a rubber roll having therein a succession of spaced peripheral slots and a succession of flexible disc like segments of progressively difierent diameter intermediate the slots progressively engageable with the continuous strip, and subject to unequal distortion under pressure into substantially aligned contact with the continuous strip and means for engaging the roll and strip under distorting pressure.

16. A revoluble roll of compressible material for engagement, with a longitudinally advanced strip of'material the strip engaging face of which is normally inclined to the plane of the strip, and pressure means for subjecting the roller to unequal distortion under pressure against the strip being advanced intosubstantially aligned contact engagement therewith. 4

17. In a strip severing apparatus wherein a continuous strip oi material having longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines is advanced past a strip severing position, a pair of spaced rollers one of which is of substantially uniform diameter and the other of which is of progressively varying diameter having simultaneous intermittent engagement with the strip, actuating means fordifierentially driving the rollers, the roller of 'varying diameter being driven at a faster rate of rotation than the other roller, and timed actuating means to cause the rollers to concurrently engage the strip under pressure to thereby subject the intermediate portion of the strip to tensile strain in excess of the resistance of a transverse weakened line of the strip disposed intermediate the rollers the construction and arrangement being such that the excessive tensile strain is initially imposed contiguous to one margin of the strip and thence progressively transversely of the strip to progressively sever the strip alongsuch transverse weakened line.

18. In a strip severing apparatus, wherein a continuous strip of material having thereon transverse weakeneddivision lines is advanced past a strip severing position, a snubbing device and a tapered roller disposed in spaced relation with each other relative to which members, the strip is advanced, and means for intermittently subjecting the snubbing device and tapered roller to simultaneous pressure engagement with the strip by which the engaged portion of the strip is subjected to tensile strain in excess of the resistance of a transverse division line thereof intermediate the snubbing device and the roller the construction and arrangement being such that the excessive tensile strain is initially imposed contiguous to one margin of. the strip and thence progressively transversely of the strip to progressively sever the strip along such transverse weakened line.

19. In a strip severing apparatus, a strip feeding device, a vibrator by which a continuous strip of material having longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines is intermittently raised and lowered in synchronism with its advancement past a strip severing position, a snubbing device and a feed roller disposed in spaced relation with each other relative to which the strip is movable, and timed actuating means for intermittently pressing the strip against the snubber and feed roll in timed sequence with the advancement of the strip to thereby subject the intermediate-portion of the strip to tensile strain in excess of the resistance of a transverse division line thereof located intermediate the snubber and feed roller.

20; A strip severing device, wherein a continuous strip of material is progressively divided into individual sheets upon longitudinally spaced transverse weakened lines, including strip feeding'means for continuously advancing the strip relative to a severing position, strip severing means engageable with succeeding advanced terminal portions of the strip and operative to divide the strip upon the first transverse weakened line thereof from the end of the strip, and

. ing device.

22. A strip severing apparatus, wherein a con-' means for vibrating the advancing strip into and out of operative engagement with the strip severing means in synchronism with its advancement.

into individual sheets upon longitudinally spaced transverse weakened lines, including strip feeding means, a strip severing device intermittently operative to sever the strip on a transverseweakened line thereof, and means for vibrating the strip in synchronism with its advancement into and out of severing relation with said strip sever tinuous strip of material is transversely divided into individual sheets at longitudinally spaced intervals, a strip feeding device, a strip severing device operative to transversely sever the strip in synchronism with its advancement, a vibratory guide for the strip, by which the strip is intermittently presented in engagement with the strip severing device, and actuating means for effectf ing the operation of the feeding device and. vi-

bratory guide in timed relation.

23. A strip severing apparatus, wherein :a continuous strip of material is transversely divided into individual sheets at longitudinally spaced intervals, including a strip feeding device, a strip severing device relative to which the strip is advanced, an eccentric roller rotatingin synchronism with the advancement of the strip and a severing device into operatives-elation with which the strip is intermittently presented by rotation of said roller and actuating means for operating the feeding device and eccentric roller in timed relation.

24. A strip severing apparatus, wherein a, continuous strip of material is transversely divided into individual sheets at longitudinally spaced intervals, including a strip feeding device, a strip severing device relative to which the strip is advanced, a vibratory strip guide by which the strip is moved alternately into'and out of engagementf with the strip severing device and actuating means for effecting operation of the strip feeding device and the vibratory guide in timed relation.

25. A strip severingapparatus, wherein a continuous strip of material is transversely divided into individual sheets at longitudinally spaced intervals, including a strip feeding device, a strip severing device relative to which the strip is advanced, a strip elevator over which .the strip is advanced by actuation of which the strip is badily shifted into and out of operative ranges of the strip severing device, and actuating means for operating the strip elevator and strip feeding device in timed relation.

26. A strip severing apparatus, wherein acontinuous strip of material is transversely divided into individual sheets at longitudinally spaced intervals, including a strip feeding device; a strip sheets, including the steps of progressively advancing the strip past a severing position, and subjecting the strip to vertical alternating motion simultaneously with its advancement into and out of operative engagement with a strip severing device.

28. The herein described method of severing a continuous strip of material on transverse weakened lines into individual sheets, including the steps of progressively advancing the strip past a severing position, vibrating the strip into and out of engagement with a strip severing device, thereby subjecting the strip to tension in excess'of the tensile strength of the strip at a division line thereof upon vibratory movement of the strip, in one direction and relaxing the tension thereon upon movement of the strip in reverse position. Y I l 29. The herein described method of severing a feeding means.

continuous strip of material on transverse weakened lines into individual sheets, including the' steps of progressively advancing the strip past a severing position, and intermittently bodily shifting the strip into and out of operative engagement with strip severing means in synchronism with its advancement relative thereto.

30. A strip severing apparatus for progressively dividing a continuous strip of material upon predetermined transverse weakened lines into individual sheets, including a feeding device for continuously advancing the strip of material at a uniform rate of speed, an auxiliary feeding device intermittently engageable with the strip to advance succeeding terminal portions of the strip at an increased rate of speed, and a cam member operative to intermittently bodily lift succeedin "portions of the traveling strip into engaging relation with the auxiliary feeding device, the construction and arrangement being such that while the main body of the strip isbeing advanced at a uniform rate of speed, the terminal portions thereof are intermittently subjected to accelerated advancement by which the strip is subjected to strain in excess of the tensile strength thereof coincident with a transverse weakened division line.

31. A strip severing apparatus, wherein a continuous strip of material is progressively divided upon longitudinally spaced transverse weakened lines into individual sheets, including strip feedbodily lifting succeeding portions of the strip into operative engagement with said auxiliary 32. A strip severing apparatus, wherein a continuous strip of material is progressively divided upon longitudinally spaced transverse weakened lines into individual sheets, including strip feeding means for continuously advancing the strip, an auxiliary feeding means intermittently engageable with succeeding terminal portions of the strip beyond a transverse weakened line thereof during its advancement by the initial feeding means and operative to advance the engaged terminal portion of the strip at a rate of speed greater than the body thereof is then being advanced, and a movable guide for the strip by which succeeding portions of the strip are periodically projected into operative engagement with the auxiliary feeding means.

33. A strip severing device, wherein a continuous strip of material having therein longitudinally spaced feeding and aligning configurations and a series of longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines is advanced past a severing position at which the strip is subjected to tensioning influence in excess of the tensilestrength of the strip coincident with a division line thereof, including a positive strip feeding device utilizing the feeding and aligningconflgurations for advancing the strip predetermined distances intermediate succeeding strip severing operations, a trimmer device past which the strip is advanced and by which a marginal area is removed from the advancing strip, a roller having a peripheral speed substantialLv coincident with the speed of advancement of the strip, a second roller in spaced relation with the first mentioned roller having a peripheral speed greater than that of the first roller and greater than the speed of advancement of the strip, said rollers being momentarily engageable simultaneously with the strip at opposite sides of succeeding weakened lines thereof, and means acting with the rollers during their period of engagement with the strip to grasp spaced portions of the strip in contact with the rollers and tension the intermediate portion of the strip beyond the tensile strength thereof, whereby the strip will fail on the weakened line within the tensioned area, and driving means for simultaneously rotating the respective rollers continuously.

34. A strip severing apparatus, wherein a continuous strip of material having therein longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines is advanced past a severing position and intermittently subjected to tension by which it is separated into a succession of individual sheets upon said weakened division lines, including a duo-functional feeding and snubbing roller having intermittent engagement with the strip back of a transverse weakened division line thereof to transmit strip advancing impulses thereto and simultaneously resist accelerated advancement of the strip, a strip tensioning roller in spaced relation beyond the feeding and snubbing roller in the direction of travel of the strip having intermittent engagement with the strip in advance of a transverse weakened division line of the strip a and tending to accelerate the advancement of the strip simultaneously with intermittent engagement ofthe duo-functional feeding and snubbing roller with the strip, driving means for rotatin the strip tensioning roller at a greater peripheral speed than that of the feeding and snubbing roller simultaneously therewith, and means coacting with the rollers to effect simultaneous grasping engagement of the respective rollers with the strip at opposite sides of a transverse weakened line thereof on which the strip is separated by momentary excess tension imposed upon the portion of the strip intermediate the respective rollers by the different speeds of rotation thereof, the strip being alternately engaged and completely released by both rollers substantially in unison.

35. A strip severing apparatus, wherein a continuous strip of material is progressively separated into individual sheets upon longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines, including a trimmer operative to progressively re.- move from the strip at least one longitudinal marginal area thereof, past which the strip is advanced to a strip severing position, a duo-functional feeding and snubbing roller having intermittent engagement with the trimmed portion of the strip back of a transverse weakened division line thereof, a tensioning roller rotating at greater peripheral speed than the feeding and snubbing roller in spaced relation therewith in the direction of advancement of the strip, havin intermittent engagement with the trimmed portion of the strip in advance of a transverse weakened line thereof, simultaneously with the engagement of the strip by the feeding and snubbing roller back of the same transverse weakened division line, and driving means for simultaneously actuating the respective rollers at different peripheral speeds and gripper means enacting with the rollers to grasp the strip at spaced points with tensioning influence to subject the portion of the strip intermediate the rollers to bursting strain, the strip being completely freed from the influence of the rollers intermediate succeedin tensioning operations thereof.

36. A strip severing apparatus, wherein a continuous strip of material is automatically separated on longitudinally spaced transverse division lines into a succession of individual sheets by excessive tension applied to succeeding portions of the strip, including a duo-functional strip feeding and snubbing roller and a strip tensioning roller intermittently engageable concurrently with a. strip of material at opposite sides of a transverse weakened division line thereof, driving means for continuously rotating both the feeding and snubbing. and the tensioning rollers at different peripheral speeds whereby the peripheral speed of the tensioning roller is greater than that of the feeding and snubbing roller, and means with which the respective rollers cooperate to simultaneously momentarily grasp the strip at opposite sides of succeeding longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines to celerated advancement while subjecting an ln-- termedlate portion of the strip containing a transverse weakened division line to tension in excess of the tensile strength of the strip coincident with the weakened division line thereof. and freeing the strip from the feeding and tensioning, impulses in continuing alternating sequence.

RAYMOND G. RATCHFORD. ROBERT E. LEE. 

